[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58728-58731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29238]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP02-1-000]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed South System Expansion II 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

November 16, 2001.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the South System Expansion II 
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Southern 
Natural Gas Company (Southern) in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; 
Clarke, Lauderdale, and Jefferson Davis Counties, Mississippi; Sumter, 
Marengo, Hale, Perry, Autauga, Elmore, Tallapoosa, and Lee Counties, 
Alabama; and Harris, Talbot, Monroe, Bibb, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, 
Jefferson, Richmond, Upson, Effingham, and Chatham Counties, 
Georgia.\1\ These facilities consist of about 123.3 miles of 36-, 
30-, and 24-inch-diameter pipeline, modifications to 9 existing 
compressor stations, construction of a new compressor station on the 
site of a previously abandoned compressor station, taps, and a meter 
station. The EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-making 
process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience 
and necessity.
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    \1\ Southern's application was filed with the Commission on 
October 1, 2001, under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 
of the Commission's regulations.
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    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a pipeline company representative about the acquisition of an 
easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. 
The pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable 
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the Commission, that 
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if 
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' was attached to the 
project notice Southern provided to landowners. This fact sheet 
addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of 
eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. 
It is available for viewing on the FERC Internet website 
(www.ferc.fed.us).

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Southern is proposing the South System Expansion II Project to 
expand its existing mainline system and increase capacity of its 
facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to supply 
increased quantities of gas to existing local distribution customers 
due to population growth in the region and the increasing demand for 
energy resources. The expansion of its facilities would enable Southern 
to provide for additional firm transportation capacity to serve eight 
shippers. This project would allow Southern to deliver 359,891 thousand 
cubic feet per day (Mcfd) of gas to these shippers.
    Southern proposes to construct, install, and operate certain 
pipeline loops, compression, a meter station, and other appurtenances, 
in two phases. Phase I would consist of the facilities necessary to 
provide about 320,714 Mcfd of gas, and Phase II would consist of the 
facilities necessary to provide the remaining 39,177 Mcfd of gas.
    Southern proposes to construct and operate the following 
facilities:

Phase I Facilities

     36-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 1): about 13.9 
miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop \2\ of its South Main Line 
System from milepost (MP) 75.9 in Clarke County, Mississippi to MP 89.8 
in Lauderdale County, Mississippi;
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    \2\ A loop is a segment of pipeline that is installed adjacent 
to an existing pipeline and connected to it on both ends. The loop 
allows more gas to be moved through the pipeline system.
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     36-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 2): about 9.6 miles 
of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System from MP 
115.7 in Sumter County, Alabama to MP 125.3 in Marengo County, Alabama;
     36-inch South Main 4th Loop Line (Loop 3): about 11.0 
miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South

[[Page 58729]]

Main Line System from MP 138.9 to MP 149.9 in Hale County, Alabama;
     30-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 4): about 3.4 miles 
of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System from MP 
164.5 to MP 167.9 in Perry County, Alabama;
     36-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 5): about 7.9 miles 
of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System from MP 
197.9 to MP 205.8 in Autauga County, Alabama;
     30-inch South Main 4th Loop Line (Loop 6): about 16.7 
miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System 
from MP 233.3 in Elmore County, Alabama to MP 250.0 in Tallapoosa 
County, Alabama;
     30-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 7): about 5.7 miles 
of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System from MP 
278.1 to MP 283.8 in Lee County, Alabama;
     36-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 8): about 16.6 
miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System 
from MP 311.6 in Harris County, Georgia to MP 328.2 in Talbot County, 
Georgia;
     30-inch South Main 2nd Loop Line (Loop 9): about 9.5 miles 
of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System from MP 
362.7 to MP 372.2 in Monroe County, Georgia;
     30-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 10): about 7.6 
miles of 30-inch diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line system 
from MP 380.6 in Bibb County, Georgia to MP 388.2 in Jones County, 
Georgia;
     24-inch South Main 2nd Loop Line (Loop 12): about 12.6 
miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System 
from MP 465.0 in Jefferson County, Georgia to MP 477.6 in Richmond 
County, Georgia; and
     One new meter station (Port Wentworth-SCANA Meter Station) 
at about MP 104.6 on its 20-inch-diameter Wrens-Savannah 2nd Loop Line 
in Chatham County, Georgia.
    Southern also proposes to install compression and make other 
modifications at the following compressor stations:
     Add one 12,000 horsepower (hp) centrifugal compressor at 
the LaCombe Compressor Station in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This 
would be a new compressor station built on an existing site where the 
original compressor station was previously dismantled;
     Rewheel compression on one existing unit at the Gwinville 
Compressor Station in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi;
     Add one 6,000 hp high-speed engine driven reciprocating 
compressor at the Enterprise Compressor Station in Clarke County, 
Mississippi;
     Add one 15,000 hp centrifugal compressor and the removal 
of a 5,880 hp unit at the Gallion Compressor Station in Hale County, 
Alabama;
     Add one 15,000 hp centrifugal compressor, the installation 
of unloaders on one existing unit, and the removal of a 5,400 hp unit 
at the Elmore Compressor Station in Elmore County, Alabama;
     Add one 6,000 hp reciprocating compressor at the Ellerslie 
Compressor Station in Harris County, Georgia;
     Add one 4,000 hp reciprocating compressor at the Ocmulgee 
Compressor Station in Bibb County, Georgia;
     Add two 3,550 hp high-speed engine driven reciprocating 
compressors at the Hall Gate Compressor Station in Baldwin County, 
Georgia; and
     Add two 3,550 hp high-speed engine driven reciprocating 
compressors at the Wrens Compressor Station in Jefferson County, 
Georgia.
    Southern also proposes to construct two dual 12-inch taps at about 
MP 94.5 on its existing 20-inch and 14-inch Wrens-Savannah Lines in 
Effingham County, Georgia; two dual 12-inch taps at about MP 491.2 on 
its existing 16-inch South Main and Loop Lines in Richmond County, 
Georgia; and two 8-inch taps at about MP 104.6 on its existing 20-inch 
Wrens Savannah Lines in Chatham County, Georgia.
    Further, Southern proposes to remove previously abandoned pipe from 
its existing right-of-way at several locations. On Loop 5, in Autauga 
County, Alabama, Southern proposes to remove a total of about 6.3 miles 
of 12-inch pipe between MP 197.9 and MP 200.0, and MP 201.6 and MP 
205.8 of its existing South Main Line System. On Loop 6, in Elmore and 
Tallapoosa Counties, Alabama, Southern proposes to remove a total of 
about 1.4 miles of 12-inch pipe between MP 233.3 and MP 233.9; MP 241.2 
and MP 241.5; and MP 246.7 and 247.2 of its existing South Main Line 
System.

Phase II Facilities

     30-inch South Main 2nd Loop Line (Loop 9): about 4.0 miles 
of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line system from MP 
372.2 to MP 376.2 in Monroe County, Georgia; and
     30-inch South Main 3rd Loop Line (Loop 11): about 4.8 
miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop of its South Main Line System 
from MP 420.2 in Baldwin County, Georgia to MP 425.0 in Washington 
County, Georgia.
    Southern also proposes to install compression and make other 
modifications at the following compressor station:
     Add one 4,730 hp high-speed engine driven reciprocating 
compressor at the Thomaston Compressor Station in Upson County, 
Georgia.
    The general location of Southern's proposed facilities is shown on 
the map attached as appendix 1.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the 
Commission's website at the ``RIMS'' link or from the Commission's 
Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE, 
Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. For 
instructions on connecting to RIMS refer to the last page of this 
notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving 
this notice in the mail.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of Southern's proposed facilities would require about 
1,488 acres of land, including construction right-of-way for the loops, 
taps, and the meter station; and extra work areas needed for pipe 
storage yards, staging areas, and warehouse sites. The majority of the 
loops would be constructed directly adjacent to Southern's existing 
rights-of-way. For the construction of the 30- and 36-inch-diameter 
loop segments, Southern proposes to use a 95-foot-wide construction 
right-of-way, which includes a 25-to 55-foot overlap of the existing 
right-of-way for workspace and temporary spoil storage. For the 
installation of the 24-inch-diameter pipeline on Loop 12, Southern 
proposes to use a 75-foot-wide construction right-of-way, which 
includes a 60-foot overlap of the existing right-of-way, with 15-feet 
of new temporary construction right-of-way to be cleared. Because of 
the use of Southern's existing right-of-way for construction, Southern 
indicates that only about 107 acres would be maintained as new 
permanent right-of-way.
    The upgrades and modifications to the compressor stations would be 
performed within the existing Southern facilities, and would not 
require the clearing of additional land.
    Construction access to Southern's project generally would be via 
the construction right-of-way and existing road network. Southern has 
identified 135 existing private access roads necessary for the 
construction of its project.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and

[[Page 58730]]

Necessity. NEPA also requires us \4\ to discover and address concerns 
the public may have about proposals. We call this ``scoping.'' The main 
goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the 
important environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, the 
Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues it will 
address in the EA. All comments received are considered during the 
preparation of the EA. State and local government representatives are 
encouraged to notify their constituents of this proposed action and 
encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
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    \4\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'', refer to the environmental 
staff of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP).
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    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general 
headings:
     Geology and soils
     Water resources and wetlands
     Vegetation and wildlife reliability and safety
     Threatened and endangered
     Cultural resources
     Land use
     Air quality and noise species
    We will evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project or 
portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending 
on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be 
published and mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, public 
interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, 
newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for 
this proceeding. A comment period will be allotted for review if the EA 
is published. We will consider all comments on the EA before we make 
our recommendations to the Commission.
    To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the public participation section beginning on page 8.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Southern. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
     Water Resources and Wetlands

--Crossing 91 perennial waterbodies.
--Crossing 29 wetlands, including 42.8 acres of forested wetlands.
     Vegetation

--About 354.5 acres of upland forest to be cleared.
--Potential impact on 7 Federally-listed threatened and endangered 
plant species.

     Threatened and Endangered Species

--Potential impact on 6 Federally-listed bird species.
--Potential impact on 3 Federally-listed reptile species.
--Potential impact on 3 Federally-listed fish species.
--Potential impact on 13 Federally-listed invertebrate species.
--Potential impact on 2 Federally-listed amphibian species.
     Soils

--About 33.6 miles of the pipeline right-of-way have soils with a high 
susceptibility to erosion.
--Crossing about 36.0 miles of prime farmland.
     Land Use

--Impact on 41 residences located within 50 feet of the construction 
work area.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your 
concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by the Commission. 
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the 
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations 
or routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The 
more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please 
carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are 
received in time and properly recorded:
     Send an original and two copies of your letter to: David 
P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
St., N.E., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
     Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas 1, 
PJ-11.1;
     Reference Docket No. CP02-1-000; and
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before December 17, 2001.
    Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically 
via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and 
the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the ``e-Filing'' 
link.
    If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to 
remain on our mailing list, please return the Information Request 
(appendix 3). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be 
removed from the environmental mailing list.
    Due to current events, we cannot guarantee that we will receive 
mail on a timely basis from the U.S. Postal Service, and we do not know 
how long this situation will continue. However, we continue to receive 
filings from private mail delivery services, including messenger 
services in a reliable manner. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of any comments or interventions or protests to this proceeding. 
We will include all comments that we receive within a reasonable time 
frame in our environmental analysis of this project.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an official party to the proceeding known as an 
``intervenor.'' Intervenors play a more formal role in the process. 
Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of 
case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors. 
Likewise, each intervenor must provide 14 copies of its filings to the 
Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy of its filings to all 
other parties on the Commission's service list for this proceeding. If 
you want to become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene 
according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see appendix 2). Only intervenors have the 
right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision.
    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they 
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your environmental comments considered.
    Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are 
available for public inspection. This filing may also be viewed on the 
Web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket #'' 
and follow the instructions (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).
    Similarly, the ``CIPS'' link on the FERC Internet website provides 
access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such 
as orders, notices, and rulemakings. From the FERC Internet website, 
click on the ``CIPS'' link, select ``Docket #'' from the

[[Page 58731]]

CIPS menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to 
CIPS, the CIPS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-29238 Filed 11-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P